Volkswagen sets the top speed record for hybrids at the Bonneville Salt flats with their 2013 MK6 Jetta Hybrid

Volkswagen sets the top speed record for hybrids at the Bonneville Salt flats with their 2013 MK6 Jetta Hybrid

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Volkswagen sets the top speed record for hybrids at the Bonneville Salt flats with their 2013 MK6 Jetta Hybrid

Volkswagen is intent on proving their hybrid drivetrain is capable of some seriously impressive feats. Setting the production hybrid land speed record definitely qualifies. Volkswagen was able to hit a verified of 185.394 miles per hour which is the highest speed ever achieved by a production based hybrid. Aerodynamic changes were made within the class rules to help achieve this speed so we do not think a stock production car will be able to match it. Nevertheless, it is the same general body and 1.4 cylinder turbo TSI motor with 150 horsepower plus a 27 horse electric motor (although modified).

VWUSA CEO Jonathan Browning stated the following about the record, "Achieving this speed at Bonneville shows that the all-new 2013 Jetta Hybrid is a distinctly different offering in the compact hybrid class. As well as being expected to achieve combined fuel economy of 45 mpg, the Jetta Turbo Hybrid also retains the fun-to-drive nature you expect from a Volkswagen in a segment dominated by less exciting vehicles."

"Achieving this speed at Bonneville shows that the all-new 2013 Jetta Hybrid is a distinctly different offering in the compact hybrid class," said Jonathan Browning, CEO and President, VW Group of America. "As well as being expected to achieve combined fuel economy of 45 mpg, the Jetta Turbo Hybrid also retains the fun-to-drive nature you expect from a Volkswagen in a segment dominated by less exciting vehicles."

Lago drove a Jetta Hybrid specially modified to run according to SCTA rules. The all-new Jetta Hybrid marries a 1.4-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder TSI® gasoline engine that generates150 horsepower with a seven-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission and an electric motor that provides an additional 27 hp. The Jetta Hybrid is part of Volkswagen's Think Blue® strategy, an initiative that encourages eco-friendly mobility and progressive ideas for responsible action in everyday life.

To achieve the kind of horsepower needed to run at 185 mph (298 kph) at Bonneville, the powertrain was modified by Volkswagen R&D in Wolfsburg, Germany. Project integration and other modifications to enable the car to run safely on the salt were handled by A-Salt Racing and Advanced Product Engineering, based in Camarillo, California. The implementation and final calibration of the drivetrain in the car was supported by the engineers from the Volkswagen Test Center California in Oxnard, CA.

"We are really proud that our new Jetta Hybrid is the world's fastest hybrid," said Marc Trahan, Executive Vice President, Group Quality. "It was a real challenge to integrate the complex hybrid elements and generate the power needed to run at these speeds. The Jetta Hybrid Land Speed Record project shows both the sporty nature of our Hybrid offering and the technical excellence of our engineers in Wolfsburg and in the Test Center California."

Motor Trend Editor-in-Chief Ed Loh commented: "It is a real honor to partner with Volkswagen in this project and we look forward to sharing this adventure with our 1.1 million magazine subscribers, our more than three million website unique users, and our increasingly popular YouTube channel. And we hope that we will be back at the Salt very soon to go even faster with the Jetta Hybrid."

So with 150 hp, a 27 hp electromotor and a modified transmission this car runs 300km/h?

Originally Posted by Sticky

As well as being expected to achieve combined fuel economy of 45 mpg, the Jetta Turbo Hybrid also retains the fun-to-drive nature you expect from a Volkswagen in a segment dominated by less exciting vehicles."

Yes, but those are very minimal. Some wheelcaps and probably some tape, because these regulations are very strict.
In the picture it also looks very standard...
Even so, it is a fairly heavy car, and with that horsepower 300 km/h seems like a stretch.

To achieve the kind of horsepower needed to run at 185 mph (298 kph) at Bonneville, the powertrain was modified by Volkswagen R&D in Wolfsburg, Germany. Project integration and other modifications to enable the car to run safely on the salt were handled by A-Salt Racing and Advanced Product Engineering, based in Camarillo, California. The implementation and final calibration of the drivetrain in the car was supported by the engineers from the Volkswagen Test Center California in Oxnard, CA.

They took the same exact powertrain just tuned it for more horsepower. It's the same body, same trans, just modifications done that are allowed in the class.

But it's not a Jetta Hybrid anymore, is it? At least not the Jetta you can buy from a VW dealer. If it was a basic upgrade like the new wheels and a few aerodynamic touches here and there, it would be ok but it the thing is it's a lot more than basic changes.

the highest speed ever achieved by a production based hybrid.

This is the key part that me and David didn't pay attention to. Because VW press made it sound like that it was a stock car with giving us specs on the production model NOT the car that did 300 Km/h. Why should i know Jetta Hybrid makes 177 HP while the car that did 300 Km/h probably has more than double of that?

I hate people who prepare speeches, press releases etc... They make a lot of money by confusing the public.

In my books it's a marketing con. They strapped a huge turbo on and got the electric motor to help it past the lag point. Shocking that they even talk about the efficiency of the stock motor. @DavidV is well versed when it come to cars and the wording even tricked him.

But it's not a Jetta Hybrid anymore, is it? At least not the Jetta you can buy from a VW dealer. If it was a basic upgrade like the new wheels and a few aerodynamic touches here and there, it would be ok but it the thing is it's a lot more than basic changes.

No it's still a Jetta Hybrid just one set up for a top speed run as they said. What is the problem?

Originally Posted by Sorena

Because VW press made it sound like that it was a stock car with giving us specs on the production model NOT the car that did 300 Km/h.

In my books it's a marketing con. They strapped a huge turbo on and got the electric motor to help it past the lag point. Shocking that they even talk about the efficiency of the stock motor. @DavidV is well versed when it come to cars and the wording even tricked him.